Manchester United are looking to continue their winning ways tomorrow as they take on high-flying Aston Villa. Despite winning their last four consecutive matches, United are an injury stricken side with eleven players still out with various injuries.

Form

Like Ferguson’s men, Martin O’Neil’s side are unbeaten in four league games with excellent results against both Hull and Bolton. After failing to enter the so called top four last season, Villa are looking to improve this season by finishing higher than sixth. With excellent results against both Liverpool and Chelsea, O’Neil’s side are stating a large claim for the top four spot. Likewise, the Old Trafford residents are also riding high in the Premier League making them within touching distance of league leaders Chelsea. After last weeks excellent result at Upton Park, United are looking to perform better than they did last season against the Villains where a late Kiko Macheda goal gave the home side a miraculous win.

Team News

Despite improving, James Collins, Wilfred Bouma and Craig Gardner will all not make the Old Trafford clash. Curtis Davies is also likely to miss the clash he is recovering from a shoulder injury although having four players out, the Villains are looking like a full strength team. However, United are an injury stricken side with eleven first team players out including defenders: Wes Brown, Fabio, Rafael, Garry Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and John O’Shea forcing Sir Alex to play for the third game in succession two mid-fielders Micheal Carrick and Darren Fletcher in defensive positions.

Martin Atkinson has taken charge of two United matches this season - the defeat at Chelsea in November and the derby victory over Manchester City. His last Villa game was their 3-1 win at Liverpool. The Yorkshire man has yet to send anyone off this term, after 17 matches.